Adjustable car partition



Sept 2%, Wm E. P. HARRIS 1,325,452

ADJUSTABLE CAR PARTITION Filed Oct 21, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet l 4942? Hariiis INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 29, 1931 EDGAR P. HARRIS,TBIILETT, MISSOURI ADJUSTABLE CAB PARTITION Application filetl"etober21, 1929. Serial 170. 401,262.

This invention relates to partitions or bulkheads for railway cars, andis especially adapted for use in stock cars.

An object of the present invention is to 6 provide a partition which isdesigned for use in substitution of the ordinary temporary partition,the artition comprising the pre ent invention ing adjustably mounted andheld in adjusted position so that it ma be arranged at any point withinthe lengtl a of the car for use in dividing the car into separatecompartments for stock of difierent character, or may be held out of theway when not in usef The invention therefore provides a partition whichmay be continuously used and arranged as desired, instead of the usualtemporary partition which must be constructed for the occasion.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a partition, whichin addition to the above and other advantages, is durable inconstruction, mounted for quick and easy adjustment, and convenientlyand securely held in adjusted position. With the above and other objectsin view, the invention further includes the following novel features anddetails of construction, to be hereinafter more fully described,illustrated in the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the appendedclaim.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a transverse sectional view of a stock carwith the partition in'position for use.

formed of horizontally arranged vertically all! . spaced timbers whichare secured to opposite sides of vertically disposed members 11, so thata rigid and compact head is provided which may be within a car 12 todivide the latter into sepam rate compartments. This is especially de-Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sec-- partition or bulk; arranged.

sirable in shipping cattle where cattle of d1fierent types and ages areshipped in the same car and provides means whereby the cattle may beseparated for their protection.

The upper ends of the vertically disgosled members 11 are swinginglymounte means of straps 13 to a shaft or axle 1a. This shaft or axleextends transversely of the car near the top and has secured uponopposite ends as shown at 15, wheels 16. These wheels operate withintracks 17 which are secured to the inner walls. or ceiling of the carandprov de means whereby the partition may be readily moved the length ofthe car so that 1t may be positioned at any point throught out the carslength or may be positioned at one end of the car.

Forthe purpose of adjustably holding the partitlon in place theinvention provides levers 18 which are pivotally mounted as m shown at19 between the walls 10. These lovers have their handles or grips 20extendmg above the top of the partition so as to provide for ease ofmanipulation. V

Pivotally secured to the levers 18 upon opposite sides of the pivot .19as shown at 20 .are the inner ends of locking bolts 21. These bolts arehorizontally arranged and are guided within openings provided in thestandards 11 and their outer ends are adapted w to be projected beyondor retracted within the opposite ends of the partition.

Arranged along the inner wall or ceiling of the car are keeper'bars 22.These bars are preferably semi-circular in cross section at and areprovided along their opposite edges with attaching flanges 23, wherebythe bars may be secured in place. The bars are further provided withspaced openings 24 which may be arranged any desired distance apart into receive. the ends of the bolts 21 and securely lock the partition inplace. By arranging the levers 18 within the partition they are out ofthe wayof the cattle so that the latter will not accidentally strikeagainst and move these levers to release the partition.

. The partition may bearrangedupon either side of the car door to loadthe cattle and adjusted to the desired position. When not, we

2 menses in use the partition may be located against one of the endwallsof the car.

Also, the partition may be elevated and held in elevated position. Forthis pu ose a the invention provides a hook 25 whic is pivotall mountedas at 26 in a hanger 27 which epends from the roof structure of the car.A rope or cable 28 extends downwardly from one end of the hook.

The hook 25 is automatic in its operation and for this purpose ispositioned withih a v slot 27 provided in the hanger 27 Normally, thebill of the hook rests against the lower (1 e of this slot due to theweight of this 5 of the'hook. When the artition is raised a loop orstaple 29 carrie at the lower end of the partition engages the hookatthe juncture of the hook and hanger and forces the hook to swingupward. The loo or 2Q staple passes the extremity of the bill o the hookand when the latter swings downward by gravity, the hooked end of thebill will pass through the loop or staple and hold I the partition inthe position shown by the g5 dotted lines in Figure 2. In order torelease the artition it is only necessary to slightly raise the endandpull the cable 28 to disengage the hook from the loop or sta le'.

g9 he invention is susceptible of various changes in its form,proportions and minor details of construction and the right is here inreserved to make such changes as pro erly fall within the scope of theappended c aim.

5 Having described the invention what is claimed 1s In a car partition,elevated tracks adapted to be secured along the inside of a car, wheelsmovable along the tracks, a shaft connect ng the Wheels, a normallyvertical partltion swingingly sup orted by the shaft and adapted to besposed' transversely of the car, said partitions including spaced walls,

' levers pivotally mounted within the walls,

'. 45 horizontally slidable bolts connected with the levers, and meansadapted to be secured within the car for engagement-bythe levers to holdthe partition against movement.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signa- 50 ture; 7 i

' EDGAR P. HARRIS.

